During our April trip to the Philippines, we had the opportunity to speak to a gathering of different denominational preachers for two days. One of the issues that came up during the question-and-answer sessions dealt with the use of instruments in worship services. One of my lectures dealt solely with this issue. I'd like to share some of those thoughts with you.

Bible teaching is clear. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." {Colossians 3:16} This is one of the nine New Testament passages that deals with the music question. Please read the others: Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13. Each of these passages uses some form of the word SING. One cannot find any New Testament passage that mentions one word about "playing." How could the New Testament teaching be any clearer or plainer? Let us examine one chief argument offered to defend the use of instruments in worship services.

David used instruments in the Old Testament. "And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets." {2 Chronicles 29:25} One could also add Psalm 150 to the list. Yes, without a doubt, in the Old Testament, they used instruments in temple worship to God. But does this truth give us Scriptural authority to use it in the Lord's church? In the first century, the Jewish Christians sought to bind circumcision on the Gentile converts in order for them to be saved by Christ. "And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law." {Galatians 5:3} Paul's point was that one who seeks to use the Old Law to bind circumcision as a condition for salvation under the New Law must also bring into the mix everything else the Old Law taught. Will those who use the Old Law to defend instruments also accept as binding all the other teachings of that law? They are mixing the two covenants. The Old Covenant was nailed to the cross {Colossians 2:14; Ephesians 2:14-16}.

Consider this also: what does it say about those who seek to use the Old Law to defend using instruments? We know they have found no authority in the New Law, for if they had, they would use those passages. They could end this debate and division by producing one single New Testament passage that authorizes playing instruments in the worship service. Unfortunately, some are more concerned with justifying their own desires than accepting the plain teaching in God's word. (KMG)